Tag Archives: ODNR Division of Wildlife

News, Sports

Ohio Deer Hunting Ranks 5th Nationally

Presented By Chillicothe VAMC

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s 2021-22 deer hunting season concluded Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, with 196,988 deer checked, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s average harvest compiled from the past three seasons is 184,746 deer.
 


Caption: Ohio’s deer archery hunting season ended Sunday, Feb. 6. Ohio hunters harvested 196,988 deer during all seasons that began in September 2021.

 
The final totals represent all deer harvested during archery, gun, muzzleloader, and youth hunting seasons that began on Sept. 25, 2021. Since September, hunters harvested 96,209 deer with archery equipment, while 79,805 deer were taken with firearms during the 2021 weeklong and two-day gun seasons. In addition, 12,141 deer were harvested with muzzleloaders in January 2022. Youth hunters found success during the November 2021 youth season with 7,634 deer checked.
 
“Ohio’s deer population is one of the strongest in the nation, which is confirmed by these season totals,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “Ohio is a national leader in deer management in part because of the tremendous cooperation between landowners and hunters. Thanks to all those who participated in the hunting season this year.”
 
The top 10 counties for deer harvested during the 2021-22 deer season include: Coshocton (7,144), Tuscarawas (6,303), Muskingum (5,331), Knox (5,290), Licking (5,244), Ashtabula (5,193), Guernsey (5,104), Holmes (4,905), Carroll (4,197), and Trumbull (3,994).
 

Last season, hunters in Coshocton County checked 6,791 deer, the most of any county in Ohio. The statewide harvest in 2020-21 was 197,721.

Deer hunting occurs in all 88 counties, and Ohio hunters purchased 396,370 permits across all hunting seasons. Hotspots for deer hunting are found mostly in eastern Ohio, including Ashtabula, Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Muskingum, Guernsey, and Knox counties.

The popularity of hunting with archery equipment continues to grow, with 49% of deer taken during the 2021-22 archery season, including 35% using a crossbow and 14% using a vertical bow. Gun harvest contributed 51% of the final tally. This includes 19% with shotguns, 23% with straight-walled cartridge rifles, 9% with muzzleloaders, and less than 1% with handguns.

Across all deer seasons, hunters harvested 85,580 bucks, accounting for 43% of the total. Does represented 46% of the total with 89,858 taken, while 18,161 button bucks were taken, for 9%. Bucks with shed antlers and bucks with antlers less than 3 inches long accounted for 3,389 deer, or 2%. Weekly reports can be found on the Deer Harvest Summary page at wildohio.gov.


Ohio ranks fifth nationally in resident hunters and 11th in the number of jobs associated with hunting-related industries. Hunting generates more than $853 million in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging, and more, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundations’ Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation publication.
 
Anyone interested in learning to hunt or becoming a mentor to a new hunter can visit the Wild Ohio Harvest Community page for information on how to get started, hunting-related workshops as well as special hunting opportunities for mentors and new hunters.

News

Career Opportunities Available At ODNR

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(Columbus) – Applications are being accepted now through Sunday, January 9th for the next Ohio Wildlife Officer cadet training school, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The Division of Wildlife is seeking to fill 20 wildlife officer positions throughout Ohio and training begins in August 2022.

Ohio wildlife officers enforce wildlife regulations and protect state lands, waterways, and property. This is the Division of Wildlife’s 31st Wildlife Officer Training Academy.

Those interested can complete an application at careers.ohio.gov.

 
Caption: Applications are being accepted now for the next Ohio Wildlife Officer cadet training school.

 
“Wildlife officers combine law enforcement and wildlife conservation with public service,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “They serve throughout Ohio, from Lake Erie to the Ohio River, supporting the mission of the Division of Wildlife. This is more than a job for our wildlife officers. It is a career path to do great things and make a difference in their communities.”
 
Ohio wildlife officers speak to hundreds of clubs and groups about conservation and wildlife programs, as well as perform fish and wildlife surveys. State wildlife officers also provide technical advice and instruction about wildlife management issues, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor-related recreation.

To be considered for the wildlife officer cadet training school, applicants must be 21 years of age upon completion of the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course and possess a valid driver’s license. Completion of core course work in an associate degree or undergraduate program in natural resources, fisheries and wildlife conservation, natural sciences, biology, criminal justice, environmental law enforcement, agriculture, or a related field is required.
 
Eighteen months training or experience in the above fields may also be acceptable, as would 18 months training or experience in the U.S. military with an occupational specialty related to law enforcement or investigations. Other qualifications include meeting physical fitness standards, completing a background check, and passing a psychological exam and drug screening.

For more information about becoming an Ohio wildlife officer, visit ohiodnr.gov/careers.

News

Veterans Treated To Guided Archery Hunt

Presented By Atomic Speedway

(Zaleski) – Sixteen veterans were treated to a guided archery hunt at Zaleski State Forest by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The ODNR divisions of Forestry, Wildlife, and Parks and Watercraft partnered with the Buckeye Hero Hunt Committee, the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, and volunteer groups to provide this opportunity the veterans to hunt white-tailed deer.
 
“This was a great weekend spent with some outstanding people,” said Dan Balser, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “ODNR is honored to be able to provide this opportunity as we thank and support the men and women who have served our country.”
 


(Caption: Pictured are participants who hunted white-tailed deer at Zaleski State Forest and harvested 22 deer)

 
Volunteers assisted the Buckeye Hero Hunt Committee to support the veterans with their hunt providing meals, lodging, and equipment.
 
“We are pleased to partner with the Buckeye Hero Hunt Committee and its volunteers to honor our Ohio veterans who have sacrificed so much for us,” said Courtney Cawood, manager of Zaleski State Forest. 
 
Veterans applied to participate in the hunt, and the event was free for participating veterans. Twenty-two deer – 12 antlerless and 10 antlered – were harvested between Oct. 8 and Oct. 10.
 
The ODNR Division of Forestry promotes the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands for both timber quality and wildlife habitat. This hunt provided an opportunity to effectively manage white-tailed deer populations and the damage they can cause to the forest ecosystem in a specific area of Zaleski State Forest. White-tailed deer can have substantial negative impacts on forest health and regeneration due to the browse of tree seedlings and herbaceous plants. Hunting is the most effective way to control deer populations, and the ODNR Division of Forestry is thrilled to create this great opportunity for veterans.

News

Hunting Season Set To Begin In Ohio

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(Columbus) – Ohio’s familiar habitat mosaic of farm fields, woodlots, and wetlands provides optimum opportunities to hunt mourning doves, squirrels, and waterfowl, as hunting seasons begin during the first week of September, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
 
Hunting is a favorite and cherished activity for thousands of Ohioans. As in years past, the hunting seasons that open on Wednesday, Sept. 1 include squirrel (fox, gray, and red), mourning dove, rail, snipe, and gallinule. Canada geese and teal (blue-winged, green-winged, and cinnamon) may be hunted during the early waterfowl season beginning Saturday, Sept. 4.
 
“Ohio’s hunting license sales increased 5% in 2020 from the previous season,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “We know that many Ohioans are eagerly anticipating the start of fall hunting. You’ll find abundant populations of mourning doves, squirrels, and geese when you return to the woods and fields. As always, thank you for supporting conservation in Ohio.”
 
Mourning doves are fast fliers and a popular game bird pursued by wing shooters. A field seat, dark clothing, and a box of shotgun shells provide all the equipment necessary to hunt doves while they skirt farm fields and other open areas.
 
Many Ohioans learned to hunt by pursuing squirrels through Ohio’s forests and woodlots. Squirrels are found in the treetops during the early hunting season, feeding amongst beech, oak, and hickory trees. A small-bore rifle or lightweight shotgun are common hunting implements for squirrels.
 
Canada geese require a larger gauge shotgun to hit flying birds from a longer distance. Be sure to review waterfowl identification before an early season hunt; in particular, wood ducks are not yet in season but are sometimes misidentified as teal.
 
Hunters are reminded to check the current regulations for changes to season dates and daily limits as the 2021 fall seasons begin. A summary of the 2021-22 hunting and trapping regulations is available where licenses are sold, on the HuntFish OH app, and at wildohio.gov.
 
Additional hunting seasons begin soon. That includes Ohio’s white-tailed deer archery hunting season, opening Saturday, Sept. 25. Additional details and requirements for deer hunting, including on public land, can be found in the 2021-22 hunting and trapping regulations.
 
The free HuntFish OH app can be downloaded to conveniently purchase fishing and hunting licenses, check game, view wildlife area maps, and much more. The HuntFish OH mobile app is available for Android and iOS users and can be found in the app store. Users can access the Division of Wildlife’s online system to check harvested white-tailed deer and wild turkey while out in the field, even without a Wi-Fi connection.
 
Landowners can now receive an incentive to allow hunters access during specific hunting seasons through the Ohio Landowner and Hunter Access Partnership Program. Visit the Ohio Landowner and Hunter Access Partnership Program page at wildohio.gov to sign up as a landowner or hunter.

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New Program Connects Ohio Hunters with Participating Landowners

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(COLUMBUS) – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife recently launched a new incentive program that provides a path for Ohio hunters to access participating landowner properties during the hunting season. Enrollment for the Ohio Landowner and Hunter Access Partnership program is underway now.
 


Once enrolled, participating landowners receive annual payments ranging from $2 to $30 per acre, depending on the characteristics of the property and recreational opportunities available. Enrollment contracts are for two to three years, with the possibility of an extension. A list of rules is provided to participating hunters before accessing a property.
 
“Ohio is 95% privately owned, and many of these lands are prime outdoor recreational areas,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “This new program helps connect landowners and hunters through incentives and opens many more acres of land to Ohio’s hunting enthusiasts.”
 
Those interested in hunting the enrolled properties must first obtain a free daily access permit. Permits are available from Sept. 1, 2021, to June 1, 2022, and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. More information for both landowners and hunters can be found on the Ohio Landowner/Hunter Access Partnership Program page at wildohio.gov.
 


The Ohio Landowner and Hunter Access Partnership program is funded, in part, by the federal Farm Bill under the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP). This bill provides funding to state and tribal agencies through a competitive grant process to implement programs encouraging hunting access on private properties. The federal dollars funding this program exclude fishing, trapping, and white-tailed deer gun hunting, however, landowners can still give written permission for these activities on their property.
 
Landowners interested in creating, improving, and protecting wildlife habitat on their property are encouraged to work with a Division of Wildlife private lands biologist. Contact information for the private land biologist can be found on the Private Lands Biologists Contact Information page at wildohio.gov.

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Bird Disease Reporting Impacts Some Area Counties

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(Columbus) — Recently, it has been observed that songbirds in Ohio are being affected by a disease. The primary species affected at this time are blue jays, common grackles, European starlings, American robins, and house sparrows. Ohio counties experiencing the bulk of the outbreak so far include Brown, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Delaware, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, and Warren counties.

No definitive cause(s) of illness or death have been determined at this time. We advise that people please stop feeding birds, and take down and clean bird feeders and birdbaths with 10% bleach solution, particularly if they are seeing sick/dead birds in their area (as recommended by USGS). Doing these things can help slow the spread of the disease.

If You Find an Alive/Diseased Bird

If you observe sick birds with these symptoms and/or neurological issues (such as loss of balance, coordination) then please contact your nearest licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

If You Find a Dead/Diseased Bird

The Ohio Division of Wildlife appreciates reports of dead birds that exhibit symptoms such as crusty, bulging, or sunken eyes. Please submit a report online in our Wildlife Species Sighting reporting system to help biologists track the spread of the disease. When reporting, select Bird – Diseased or Dead. 

Submit a Diseased/Dead Bird Report

You can also include photographs or videos with your report, as well as latitude and longitude coordinates to help wildlife biologists quickly verify the sighting. Remember to always view wildlife from a respectful distance for your safety as well as the safety of the animal. 

To dispose of dead birds, place in a plastic bag, seal, and discard with household trash or alternatively bury them deeply. 


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ODNR Officers Praised For Saving Life Of Wildlife Investigator

Presented Hometown-Motors, Inc.

(COLUMBUS) – Three Ohio Wildlife Officers have been honored by Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz for their lifesaving actions after Ohio Wildlife Investigator Kevin Behr was shot while on assignment in December 2020. Officers Jason Keller, Eric Lamb, and Matt Roberts were each presented with the Director’s Award of Valor at a special ceremony on June 28 to recognize their heroic actions.
 
“Officers Keller, Lamb, and Roberts acted quickly, decisively, and with bravery in the moments that mattered most,” said Director Mertz. “Their actions undoubtedly saved the life of Investigator Kevin Behr, and we owe a special debt of gratitude to these officers for their heroism.”
 
On Dec. 20, 2020, the officers were working on a law enforcement project in Clinton County after receiving reports of illegal white-tailed deer hunting activities. Investigator Behr was performing surveillance in the area when a suspect shot him. The other three officers quickly assisted Investigator Behr and are credited with saving his life.
 
“These three men stand as representatives of the training, dedication, and commitment to their peers, the public, and Ohio’s wildlife displayed routinely by the Division of Wildlife staff,” said Kendra Wecker, chief of the ODNR Division of Wildlife “Their work contributes to great hunting and fishing, and I applaud their dedication to public service and safety.”
 
Wildlife Officers Roberts, Keller, and Lamb were honored for the following actions taken on Dec. 20, 2020:

(Photo Courtesy of ODNR)


 

  • Ohio Wildlife Officer Matt Roberts
    Arriving first on the scene, Officer Roberts immediately rendered first aid to Investigator Behr, including applying direct pressure to stop bleeding and using his emergency trauma supplies. Officer Roberts then assisted paramedics with stabilizing Investigator Behr for transport to a waiting ambulance.
  • Ohio Wildlife Officer Jason Keller
    Officer Keller quickly responded to Investigator Behr’s calls for help. Officer Keller rendered first aid to the injured officer using his emergency trauma supplies. Officer Keller then assisted paramedics with stabilizing Investigator Behr for transport, bringing the injured officer out of a brushy area to a waiting ambulance.
  • Ohio Wildlife Officer Supervisor Eric Lamb
    Officer Lamb had recently returned to his residence when he was notified of the emergency, and he responded to Investigator Behr’s call for help. Officer Lamb immediately rendered first aid to Investigator Behr. He then cleared a path through a brushy area and assisted paramedics with stabilizing Investigator Behr for transport, bringing the injured officer out to a waiting ambulance.

    The three men accused in shooting the wildlife investigator, were arrested.
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Skunks Making Their Appearance Known

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(ODNR) — Skunks are known to everyone by sight, smell, and reputation. They are found in every county of Ohio as well as throughout the United States.

Pioneers found the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) when they came to Ohio, although skunk numbers are far greater now. Skunks are most abundant in rural Ohio where there are farms with fencerows, forest edges and old fields. They are also found in urban areas.

Skunks are known for their ability to spray musk when threatened. They can spray with great accuracy up to 15 feet.

Skunks mate in Ohio in late February and continue through March. Females are in heat for four to five days and will typically mate several times during this period. Males tend to be a bit promiscuous and will move from den to den mating with females.

Litters tend to be from 2 to 10 young which are born pink-skinned and blind. By the second week they are furred and by the third week their eyes have opened. By the sixth week they are weaned and will be out and about with their mother on nightly hunting forays. This family will stay together until the next spring when the young will go off on their own.

Striped skunks are highly adaptable and occupy a wide variety of habitats in Ohio from rural areas to the suburbs. It is this adaptability which accounts for their numbers growing stronger as civilization and humans encroached. They are omnivorous, but their favorite foods include insects, small mammals, fish, crustaceans, fruits, grasses, leaves, buds, grains, nuts, and carrion.

Although not true hibernators, skunks store quantities of body fat in the fall. When the weather gets cold they will retreat to protective dens where they might remain for several weeks or a month at a time. Skunks are primarily nocturnal animals and very seldom do they wander around during the daytime. They will occupy dens that they have dug or in dens that have been used previously by groundhogs or foxes. These dens may be located beneath buildings, in open fields, on hillsides, or under logs in the woods.

To find a list of Commercial Nuisance Wild Animal Control Operators, go to the provided link for a statewide listing. CLICK HERE: